Hi there can anyone help me find out more on my 3x great grandfather Charles Thomas Abbott (1783 - 1854) who was issued a special constables stave in Bricklane, Spitafileds in 1810. I have the stave which is encased in a box with glass front. It has a short brown wooden shaft, topped with what looks like a brass neck rim, topped with a coronet with a Maltese Cross. I've been told, as this was prior to the London Met, they were issued by the Parish Wach Committee, which would have been in Parish of Stepney, Middlesex at this time. Have already tried Bishopsgate Institute to no avail and can't find any historical reason, such as a riot at the time as to why he may have volunteered. Any leads would be appreciated. Nigel Abbott
